Beverage container with additive capabilities

ABSTRACT

Pre-packaged beverage container with built in additives compartments or enclosures for allowing consumer to customized flavors and nutritional benefits of the beverage being consumed. The beverage container may be configured with a plurality of popable, puncturable, or bursting additives enclosures. Each of the additive enclosures may be configured to be activatable by the consuming individual from the exterior of the beverage container at a period of time just before consumption. Upon activation of the enclosures, the additives are dispensed or released from the sealed enclosure into the beverage confined within the interior of the container without the need to open the container itself.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/656,153, filed on Apr. 11, 2018 and entitled “SYSTEM FOR LOCAL LIVE STREAM OF AUDIO SIGNALS,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The number and variety of flavored beverages available on the market continues to increase. At the same time, more and more complex self-serve beverage dispensing and mixing machines are being found in entertainment venues, restaurants, and bars and the availability of at home beverage dispensing and mixing machines are becoming more common place. Both the commercial and home beverage dispensing and mixing machines allow a user to generate custom flavor and nutritional profiles for each individual user's and/or each individual beverage. However, the complex self-serve beverage dispensing and mixing machines are not always compatible with pre-packaged beverages, such as carbonated beverages (e.g., soft drinks, sodas, or pops), alcohols (e.g., liquors, beers, and wines), pre-packaged waters, or other pre-packaged beverages (e.g., juices, lemonades, teas, coffees, etc.). Additionally, the complex self-serve beverage dispensing and mixing machines are often large and only available at select establishments or at home. In some cases, consumer may carry packets of powder additivities that may be added and mixed with pre-packaged beverages for a similar affect as the complex self-sever beverage dispensing machines. However, some types of beverage containers, such as juice packets do not re-seal making mixing of the additives with the beverage difficult and not ideal for all consumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical components or features.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example beverage container having additive enclosures according to some implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure includes pre-packaged beverage containers with built in additives compartments for allowing consumer to customized flavors and nutritional benefits of the beverage being consumed. For example, a beverage container may be configured with a plurality of popable, puncturable, or bursting additives enclosures. Each of the additive enclosures may be configured to be activated by the consuming individual from the exterior of the beverage container at a period of time just before consumption. Upon activation of the enclosures, the additives are dispensed or released from the sealed enclosure into the beverage confined within the interior of the container without the need to open the container itself.

In some examples, the beverage container may include pressure bursting additive enclosures, such that in response to a user applying a sufficient force (greater than a bursting or puncture threshold) to designated locations along the exterior of the container at a location associated with the additive enclosure causes the enclosure to open into fluid commination with the contents within the beverage container. The contents of the beverage container may then be shaken or mixed with the additive prior to opening. In this manner, the additives may be mixed with the contents packaged in a non-resealable container without mess or a separate vessel (such as a water bottle or canteen).

In some examples, the additive enclosures may include pins or other actuatable mechanisms for bursting the additive enclosure and dispensing the additives into the container. In some cases, the actuatable mechanism may ensure that the additive is released into the container. For instance, in one example, as an individual consuming the beverage applies pressure to the exterior of the additive enclosures, the pin or puncture device may be forced into the interior wall of the additive enclosure releasing the additive into the beverage. In some cases, the pins may be configured to concentrate pressure but may not be sharp to the touch. In other cases, the bursting additive enclosures may include a screw mechanism to release the additives into the beverage. The enclosures and/or the activation device may be located internal or external to the beverage container.

The additive within the bursting additive enclosures may vary. For example, the additives may be liquid or powder. In some cases, the additives may be flavors, such as vanilla, lemon, strawberry, apples, other fruits, vegetables, etc. In other cases, the additives may be supplements such as calcium, vitamins B, vitamins C, vitamins D, fiber, etc., caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, electrolytes, minerals, among other additives. In some specific examples, the additives may include prepackaged premeasured meditative dosages. For instance, the additives may be pre-measured antibiotics or pain relievers in a drinkable fashion to assist with, for example, child consumption.

In one case, the medication may be included in dosage levels, such that each bursting additive enclosures opened increases the dosage by one. For example, each enclosure may contain the same medication as a single pill or milliliter of the same medication in other forms. Thus, by bursting the desired number of enclosures, the consuming individual may receive the desired dosage of medication when the contents of the container are fully consumed. In this manner, the beverage containers discussed herein may accommodate medication dosage for a variety of ages and/or weights.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example beverage container 100 having additive enclosures 102 according to some implementations. In the current example, the beverage container 100 is not resealable. Once the straw 104 punctures the beverage container 100, the contents of the container 100 are open to the air, making mixing additives post opening difficult. Further, trying to deposit additives into the container through the opening caused by the straw 104 is difficult and often results in the additive being deposited along the outside of the beverage container 102 and on the ground or table.

By including the additive enclosures with pre-packaged additives (in either liquid or powder form), the consumer may prior to puncturing the container 100 with the straw 104, dispense the desired additives (such as calcium, vitamin A, zinc, etc.) into the container. The container may then be shaken by the consumer or parents of the consumer prior to opening, thereby reducing the mess caused by attempting to add supplements or flavor to the beverage.

In the current example, six additive enclosures 102 are shown. However, it should be understood that any number of additive enclosures 102 may be used. For example, the number of additive enclosures may vary between 1 and 25, between 2 and 30, and/or between 5 and 10. In some cases, the type of additive enclosure 102 may vary between two or more of the additive enclosures 102. For example, some of the enclosures 102 may contain supplements that may be more easily burstable via pressure, while others may include medication that may require additional force (such as 1:5 ratio or a 1:3 ratio of the force required to burst the supplement enclosure v. the medicative enclosures). In another example, some of the enclosures 102 may contain supplements that may include a puncture device while others may not.

In the current example, the enclosures 102 are located along the top ¼ of the beverage container 100. In other examples, the enclosures 102 may be confined to the top ⅓ or top ½ of the container 102. In other cases, the enclosure 102 may be located above the straw puncture location 106 to prevent accidental bursting while consuming the beverage. In some cases, additional force may be required at the puncture location 106, such as to childproof the container and, thereby, prevent spilling.

In one particular example, the burst location of the enclosures 102 may be marked on the beverage container 100. For example, the burst location may include graphics, such as smiley faces, animals, cartoon characters, or other icons that a child may enjoy. In one instance, the interior of the enclosure 102 may be coated or formed by a material that changes color or intensity when exposed to water, such that the graphics may change visibly when the enclosure 102 is burst. For instance, as the fluid of the beverage contacts the inside of the enclosure 102, post bursting, the contact may cause marking along the exterior surface of the enclosure 102 to change color or become visible along the exterior of the beverage container 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example beverage container 200 having additive enclosures 202 according to some implementations. In the current example, the enclosures 202 are positioned above the straw puncture location 206. By locating the enclosures 202 above the straw puncture location 206, the likelihood of accidental bursting, by for example a child, is reduced.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example beverage container 300 having additive enclosures 302 according to some implementations. In the current example, the container 300 may be formed from plastic or glass. In these instances, the enclosures 302 may be formed of a more flexible material to allow the enclosures 302 to be burst by the consumer. For example, the enclosure 302 may be a plastic material while the container 300 may be a glass material.

In the current example, the enclosures 302 are positioned along the neck of the container 300 to prevent the user from inadvertently bursting while a user is holding or drinking from the container 300. However, in other examples, the enclosure 302 may be positioned such that the user may easily burst them while holding the container 300. For example, the enclosures 302 may be confined to the bottom ⅓ or top ½ of the container 300.

In some cases, the size of the enclosures 302 may be uniform as illustrated. In other cases, the size of the enclosures 302 may vary based on the type and amount of additive within each respective the enclosure 302. For example, cherry flavoring may require a larger amount of additive than lemon flavoring to achieve a desired taste. In some cases, the additives within the enclosure 202 may vary, for instance, one may contain zinc, another cherry flavor, yet another lime flavor, and still more, such as vitamin B or vitamin C. In other cases, the additives within the enclosures 302 may be the same. For example, each enclosure 302 may include cherry flavor, such that the user may set the amount of cherry flavor based on a desired task. For instance, each bust enclosure 302 may add a pre-configured amount of cherry flavor, such that the user may customize the amount of cherry by selecting the number of enclosures 302 to burst (e.g., the more enclosures 302 burst the stronger the cherry flavor).

FIG. 4 illustrates another example beverage container 400 having additive enclosures 402 according to some implementations. In the current example, the beverage may be a carbonated beverage, such as soda or pop. In these cases, the enclosures 402 may be configured to include not only supplements and flavoring, sugar, sugar alternatives, caffeine, and/or carbonation. For instance, by having a container 400 that includes sugar, sugar, sugar alternatives, caffeine, and/or carbonation, diet, caffeine free, and regular soda may be sold in a single vessel opposed, thereby reducing shelf space and costs to consumer-packaged goods companies when placing product in retail stores. Similar, water may be sold as both sparking and flat within the same container 400 by including carbonation in the enclosures 402.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example beverage container 500 having additive enclosures 502 according to some implementations. While FIG. 1-4 included examples of the enclosures along the side of the beverage container, in the current example, the enclosures 502 are located around the top surface 504 of the container 500. Again, the enclosures 502 may be burst by applying pressure, such as of a finger, on the exterior surface of the container 500 at the designated location. In some cases, each of the enclosures 502 may be labeled such that the user is able to determine the type of additive within each enclosure 502.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example beverage container 600 having additive enclosures 602 according to some implementations. In the previous examples of FIGS. 1-5, the enclosures are burstable via pressure applied by a finger of the user. However, in the current example, the enclosures 602 each include an actuation component 604. In the illustrated example, the actuation component 604 includes a tab that may cause the enclosure 602 to burst by applying more pressure than an individual may with a finger. In this case, the enclosures 602 are more difficult to accidently burst.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example beverage container 700 having additive enclosures 702 according to some implementations. In the current examples, the enclosures 702 are illustrated as extending outward from the exterior surface of the container 700. For instance, the enclosures 702 may extend outward such that when the user applies pressure to the enclosure 702, the enclosures depresses or inverts such that the additive is dispensed into the contents of the container 700 and the enclosure 702 extends into the container 700. Enclosure 702 may contain a capsule on the exterior or interior that when pressure is exerted, the contents of the capsule get excreted or dispensed through a check valve, one-way valve, rubber or plastic nipple or membrane.

In the current example, the enclosures 702 are located within the middle portion of the container. In other examples, the enclosures 702 may be located along the side of the container 700 within the top ¼ of the container 700, the bottom ¼ of the container 700, or within the middle 2/4 of the container 700. In the current example, the enclosures 702 are formed in a single row, however the enclosures 702 may be positioned in two or more rows in some implementations.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example beverage container 800 having additive enclosures 802 according to some implementations. In the current example, the enclosures 802 may be located along a removable cap 804 of the container 800. In this manner, the cap 804 having the additive within the enclosures 802 may be shared between multiple containers 800 and different types of additives may be used on different beverages, thereby preventing waste. In other cases, the cap 804 may be shared between different users. In one particular example, the cap 804 containing the additive enclosures 802 may be manufactures, packaged, and/or sold as a separate unit for use with various beverage containers 800. For example, the cap 804 may be used with either a water bottle or a soda bottle, thereby allowing the additives to be dispensed into multiple types of beverages depending on the user's desire.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example beverage container 900 having additive enclosures 902 according to some implementations. In the current example, the enclosures 902 are positioned such that the enclosures 902 are exposed to the user when the cap 904 is removed from the container 900. By positioning the enclosures 902 under the cap 904, the enclosures 902 are prevented from accidental bursting during packaging, shipping, or transport by the user. In this example, the cap 904 and the neck 906 of the container 900 are extended to allow for the enclosures 902 to be positioned under the cap 904. Thus, by altering the height and/or width of the neck 806 of the container 900, any number or size of enclosures 902 may be added under the cap 904. Additionally, in the current example, the enclosures 902 are positioned below the threads 908 configured to mate with the cap 904, in other examples, the enclosures 902 may be positioned around or between the threads 908.

While FIGS. 1-9 are shown as different implementations, it should be understood that the features of FIGS. 1-9 may be applicable to any of the implementations illustrated. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage container comprising: a burstable enclosure positioned along an exterior surface of the beverage container, the burstable enclosure configured to dispense additive into the contents of the beverage container when a pressure is applied to a designated location on the exterior surface.
 2. The beverage container as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a resealable cap that releasably couples to the container; and wherein the burstable enclosure are positioned under the cap, such that the burstable enclosure are exposed to a user when the cap is removed from the beverage container.
 3. The beverage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the burstable enclosure is positioned within the top one fourth of the beverage container.
 4. The beverage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the burstable enclosure is positioned within the top one half of the beverage container.
 5. The beverage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the burstable enclosure is positioned above a straw puncture location.
 6. The beverage container as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second burstable enclosure positioned along the exterior surface of the beverage container, the second burstable enclosure configured to dispense second additive into the contents of the beverage container when a second pressure is applied to a second designated location on the exterior surface.
 7. The vehicle as recited in claim 6, wherein the second additive is different than the first additive.
 8. The vehicle as recited in claim 6, wherein a size of the second burstable enclosure is different than a size of the first burstable enclosure.
 9. The vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein the burstable enclosure is formed from a first material and the beverage container is formed from a second material, the first material different than the second material.
 10. The vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein the exterior surface is a side surface.
 11. The vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein the exterior surface is a top surface.
 12. The vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein the burstable enclosure includes an actuation component.
 13. The beverage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the burstable enclosure extend outward from the exterior surface.
 14. A beverage container comprising: a first burstable enclosure positioned along an exterior surface of the beverage container, the first burstable enclosure configured to dispense first additive into the contents of the beverage container when a first pressure is applied to a first designated location on the exterior surface; and a second burstable enclosure positioned along the exterior surface of the beverage container, the second burstable enclosure configured to dispense second additive into the contents of the beverage container when a second pressure is applied to a second designated location on the exterior surface.
 15. The beverage container as recited in claim 14, wherein the first burstable enclosure and the burstable enclosure are arranged vertically along the exterior surface.
 16. The beverage container as recited in claim 14, wherein the first burstable enclosure and the burstable enclosure are arranged horizontally along the exterior surface.
 17. The beverage container as recited in claim 14, further comprising: a third burstable enclosure positioned along the exterior surface of the beverage container, the third burstable enclosure configured to dispense third additive into the contents of the beverage container when a third pressure is applied to a third designated location on the exterior surface; a fourth burstable enclosure positioned along the exterior surface of the beverage container, the fourth burstable enclosure configured to dispense fourth additive into the contents of the beverage container when a fourth pressure is applied to a fourth designated location on the exterior surface; and wherein the first burstable enclosure and the second burstable enclosure from a first row along the exterior surface and the third burstable enclosure and the fourth burstable enclosure form a second row along the exterior surface.
 18. A cap for a beverage container comprising: a burstable enclosure positioned along an exterior surface of the cap, the burstable enclosure configured to dispense additive into the contents of the beverage container when a pressure is applied to a designated location on the exterior surface; and a second burstable enclosure positioned along the exterior surface of the cap, the second burstable enclosure configured to dispense second additive into the contents of the beverage container when a second pressure is applied to a second designated location on the exterior surface.
 19. The cap as recited in claim 18, wherein the first burstable enclosure and the burstable enclosure include an activation component.
 20. The cap as recited in claim 18, wherein the first burstable enclosure and the burstable enclosure are re-sealable. 